Mole removal

Warning! Slightly graphic medical photos follow. Nothing awkward (just my neck) and nothing bloody but not totally nice looking. Feel free to skip.

I am very moley.  I am covered in the blighters and had one removed from the top of my leg a few years ago that rubbed on my jeans but the ones on my neck have really started to bug me. That great big one almost in my hairline in particular catches on combs and brushes and is just fugly. So I asked my GP about removal to find out they could do it there. Result! So a few weeks later up I rocked up.

And 15 minutes later here I was!!! He took off 7 including the huge one and I have no stitches! How did they do that? With a fab machine called a hyfrecator which basically cauterises as he slices. I obviously had a local anaesthetic!

This is my neck 5 days later.

And after 13 days.

And today which is 4 weeks to the day since having them removed.

I have one tiny bit of scab left on the super huge wound but the rest are long since healed and should fade nicely to little shiny scars. Result! Now I just need to sort a haircut...

Birthday girl

I'm kinda (very!) late in sharing my latest birthday! I was 42 last Monday - or, as I chose to celebrate it, 21 for the second time. *g* As per tradition of the last few years I received a card with money from Chookie (her own hard earned pocket money) but she had no notes of her chosen denomination. So I got coins. Heh heh. They bought the latest Harry Potter book!

My main gifts from Spouse were a beautiful silver Phoenix and the limited edition Deep Ocean Trollbeads. Those fishes are hard to find! Coz they're gorgeous. A pearl from my parents-in-law and a Positive Change silver from one of my friends completed my Trolly haul - apart from my lovely grey pearl ring, also from Spouse. The floral Pandora ring was from my own parents, don't they all play well together?

Another friend gave me lovely smellies for my bathroom which prompted a mini makeover in the wee loo. Oh, and the badger plaque! 

My other friend gave me (amongst other things) this fab hand felted pin. Isn't it perfect with my Pebble Beach Shawl? 

And Wee Bro and Wife spoilt me with a huge voucher to the local cinema. It'll see us there twice - Suicide Squad this weekend! It's not so bad this getting older lark.

P.S. No birthday portrait but I do have me-photos taken the day after. Close enough and I'll share tomorrow!

being mothered

Yes, yesterday was Mothering Sunday here in the UK. Which necessitates the consumption of a breakfast of no nutritional value while still in bed. Awesome! *g* 

What I was really thrilled about was a certain furry someone being much more like himself. 

"Dad? Is that...bacon?!"

"Can I have some? Pleasepleasepleeeeeease?"

"*munchmunch* I love you, Dad! *munch*"

But back to the important stuff - ME! See what I got from my Chookie! Cool, right? Except, I don't have a DSLR camera to put it on.

Ha! Good, eh? For toasty toasty tea all day long.

Of course, she then blew it with this delightful inscription. 

Nothing says "I love you, Mum" quite like "I love you more than poo" right? Right. She knows me well, I thought it was hilarious. *g*

Journal Your Christmas day 12 - party time!

I've never been much of a party animal and for the last 13 years or so my only Christmas social commitments have been my work night out. And since we are all starting to get on a bit at work (at 41 I'm one of the youngest there) the party night scene with dancing and entertainment has long since lost its glamour. A nice meal and a blether does us nicely.

So a simple wee dress and nice shoes suits me perfectly. Sorted!

Journal Your Christmas day 9 - treats

I imagine the sort of treats more commonly written about for this prompt will be of the edible variety.  Maltesers are my favourite chocolate but it's not Chrimbo without a Terry's chocolate orange, amiright?  But I'm talking about a different kind of treat since I got a new one today.

I got my first Trollbead bracelet 9 years ago this Christmas. My grandparents (Beloved Wee Granny and Papa) gifted me with a £50 "un-Christmas" present at the start of December with strict instructions to spend it on ME and not the house or the then-4-year-old Chookie. I pinned the note to my notice board and waited for inspiration to strike. When I saw mention of Trollbeads on a forum a few weeks later I was smitten and the auld yins' cash bought my first chain and lock. And my first two beads were in their honour - glass daisies and silver bird.

And now? Well now I have a few *cough*six*cough* bracelets but one of my favourite slow-growing items is this Christmas bangle.

There's a couple of silver beads hiding on the ends (a gingerbread man and a Christmas tree) but the important ones are the angel, star and pig. Chook's infants nativity play characters! It's actually a bit full for the bangle and could probably do with being upgraded to a bracelet. But I like the careful addition of meaningful Christmassy beads.

Well today I got a new wee treat, a limited addition holly. Isn't it beautiful?

I don't know how they make the leaves look like that, it's all very clever. And that is my "Merry Christmas To Meee" this year. A big treat, really, but at least it doesn't affect my waist size!  

Blogtober day 25 - feet up, cake, sorted!

It's been a quiet weekend round here. I think I made a fatal error on Friday thinking my groin strain was on the mend and walking to work. By Friday night I was in quite a lot of pain. By Saturday morning I was Googling appendicitis symptoms in case I had misdiagnosed! Now I'm a tough cookie but this pain was something else. But when I lay down it totally disappeared so I wasn't too worried it was something more serious. So after taking Chook to the inaugural local brass band youth section rehearsal I retreated to bed all afternoon (what a luxury!!) and it is so much better today. So I do think it's just (just. Ha!) a groin strain but have a whole new respect for footballers who have this. I still have no idea what I've done to create it (extreme hoovering?!) but hope taking it easy will sort it out.

So today was more of the same. After a lovely long lie thanks to the end of British Summer Time AND Jones sleeping til half nine we were houseworking and then off to the stables for Chook's lesson. On the way home we nipped into a neighbouring town to check the location of Chook's first music exam on Tuesday and then got the groceries in. But after that I was free to chillax a bit (Spouse had been called out to work early this morning) before doing ironing and tea making. Hmm. That doesn't look like a relaxing day but it was. I'm not sure what that says about me! But while I had my feet up (finishing the chicken hat!) Chook was baking!

 

She's a funny wee thing and doesn't like cake unless it's chocolate so double choc muffins were on the menu. 

They are delicious and there's enough left for lunch treats for a few days. Result! 

I'll show the hat tomorrow!! 

another Chardon skirt

Ha! I could really, really get to like this dressmaking lark. I've managed another wearable item!

This is the Chardon skirt by Deer and Doe - I made one for Chook earlier this month. Well this was my turn and I went for a navy cotton/linen blend for a slightly more rugged look.

It's got that same very cute bias tape hem as hers. And, of course, I have managed to take a photograph of the one bit that was printed badly! See that big white stripe? Typical. *g* 

I went for the short version and added the belt loops. They were mighty fiddly; the fabric isn't super fine and they were quite bulky but also quite squidgy and not crisp. Even after multiple starchings! But I'm happy enough with them. I suppose they would be handy if you really needed a belt to help a gaping waistband.

Not that I need that! (ubiquitous chesticles shot - slightly fuzzy with the Chook provided photos. *g*) Because it's all pleated there's no pesky hip measurement like the Arielle had, Bonus!

And on account of the bulky fabric I went for a quilting cotton facing. I must properly investigate if there's a better stitch for finishing my raw edges than a zig zag.

And I left out the pockets entirely for reasons of bulk. I wasn't sure how I'd fare with a full skirt (I'm very much a form-fitting girl) so didn't want extra bumf round my hips. I could have put them in no problem, as it happens! I may go back and add them in.

So. A definite win. I wouldn't normally wear red either but my new RocketDogs have red flashes in the liberty-esque print so I thought I might as well go for it, eh? Spouse is well impressed, he's only seen me in jeans and black for years! He may faint when he realises I have plans for no jeans on holiday when we're in London in a fortnight. 

musings on swapping and bees and online hangouts.

Someone (I forget who) mentioned a few days ago that Flickr had gotten it's act together and "fixed" the problems we've been having the last few years. You know, from when they "fixed" it last time. *rollseyes* With the huge photos taking ages to load and difficulty commenting or getting into group chats (I couldn't log in apart from on my phone for about 6 months. And the app was terrible - no group chat at all!) I know loads of us have abandoned it for the easily usable but not-so-satisfying Instagram. So I've been for a wee peruse. It seems fine but  I am browsing on a powerful tower at work and not trying to upload anything. It may still be total bollocks.

So. I think judging from the passing comments I see we all miss the halcyon days of the Flickr quilting community. And I know it's still there, albeit in a much-reduced form. Blogging is also much reduced these days, whether people are using social media more (or less! you know - actually sewing) or what I don't know. And I don't actually know if there is an appetite still there FOR swapping and online bees and the likes. Maybe they had run their course and just happened to decline in popularity at the same time that Flickr got all screwed up. But I've had a wee wondering so thought I'd ask you lot.

Does anyone want to have a wee Flickr based swap/mini bee or something to test the waters out? Both the tech and the community to see if there really IS still place for a social space where we're not limited to weenie pictures and 140 character replies.

Anyone? Anyone? (name that film. *g*)

Answers on a postcard down there, please! \/ \/ \/

(note: I am talking smallsmallsmall. So if there by some miracle is a bunch of us fancying it then we might not all get to play. No offence given so none taken, right? Just putting that out there incase it doesn't all fizzle out...)

one less problem

I did it! I totally made something that I can wear out of the house!

This is my Tilly and the Buttons Arielle skirt. My first from-scratch dressmaking since I made my prom dress in 1992 with my 6th year Fashion & Fabric teacher, Mrs Brodie.

This is a deceptively tricky shape to get right and is a really, really lovely pattern. Of course, I'm between 2 sizes (my waist is one, my hips another) so I even had to grade between the two. But it's a pretty good fit considering I'm a total n00b. Or at least, a lapsed garment sewer - turns out the fundamentals never really leave you. 

Here's a cracking shot of my lady lumps (including my not inconsiderable chesticles!) and you can see how nicely it snugs in at the small of my back. Why can't I find jeans that'll do that? Coz I'm two different sizes, it would seem!

And a pretty lining since the chambray was lighter than I expected. It actually turned out a nice summer weight - not too thin like I thought it might be. It's the Chambray Union slub from the Village Haberdashery and is a lovely subtle pattern in the weave. I did cock up the lining a bit and forgot that whole grading of sizes bit. So it's just one size which is a big snug on the hips! But I've fixed the pattern for next time. The lining's supposed to be anti-static (brill!!) also from the V.Habdash.

Yup. Shock and awe all round. 

Even though it is close to the most expensive item in my wardrobe I thoroughly enjoyed myself and I am currently perusing black fabrics for something less......pedestrian. And I suspect a little A-line might get whipped up in some daft Star Trek or Marvel fabrics for ComicCon in the summer. Uh-oh, another obsession! 

P.S. The title? Ariana Grande, natch. Closest to Arielle I could think of!

P.P.S. In lieu of my usual photographer (she was in school) I set up my big camera and timer. I'd forgotten what a faff it is! 

quizzical

Yesterday was National Scrapbooking Day - woo hoo! Now I didn't manage any actual scrapping on account of the Mum's taxi in the morning and my absolutely freezing landscaping and woodwork in the afternoon (more on that another day) but I did order photos from Photobox. And I did make some stickin' an' gluein' plans.

So I feel justified in answering the quiz from Shimelle. Coz I like reading other people's replies so much I kid myself someone might be interested in mine. And I do like little snapshots recorded here. So. This week.

1. My favourite YouTube clip: I don't know if it's my favourite clip but the one I have talked about most is this one from Fitness Blender, cardio and pilates blend. I've been doing their cardio workouts and thought I'd mix it up with some simple (and easy, thought I *facepalm*) pilates. I couldn't reach my shoulders to pick a hair off 2 days later! But it shows it's working, right? Right?!

2. I am listening to: my usual eclectic mix. But my latest buys have been some twenty year old Utah Saints, the BBC Musketeers theme and the Regina Spektor theme to the Netflix series Orange is the New Black. 

3. I am watching: when I'm sewing I have been binge watching "Body of Proof" but Spouse and I caught the Netflix "Daredevil" last week - it was excellent! And surprisingly believable for a blind lawyer fighting the mob in a balaclava. Charlie Cox is fantastic. And this week we're on the second season of "Orange is the New Black." We noted last night while laughing  at "Britain's Got Talent" that it had been a week since we'd watched any live tv!

4. I am reading: "Stranger" by Rachel Manija Brown and Sherwood Smith. It's a post-apocalyptic young adult yarn where animals and people have changed and you may develop a mutation (good or bad) during hormonal changes. So during puberty, obviously. But also during pregnancy and the menopause! It's been very interesting (I especially love the bad telepathic camouflage the bunnies use!) but I have a feeling a love triangle is about to develop. Yuk. My least favourite trope.

5. I can eat this everyday: Pringles. Although I have been trying hard not to! I did make a particularly tasty butternut squash korma during the week. I usually do a cauliflower curry but the squash was mucho loveliness.

6. My favourite drink at 4pm: Er, tea? Although any drink at 4pm is unusual. That's in the 2 hour window between finishing work and eating tea so it's full of housework, homework, food prep and sometimes exercise and shopping. No time for a drink!

7. On my wishlist: a 28 hour day. Or the winning lottery ticket. Or someone else doing the grocery shop! And it stopping raining so I don't get soaked at riding and finishing the gardening.

8. I am enjoying: lying in bed writing this. What a luxury! (Note: I was in bed when I wrote this NOT when I published it. I don't make a habit of still being in bed at 7pm!)

9. My favourite quote right now: "during the war..." Chook's impression of an old man. Old being anyone over 50. *g* 

10. I am smiling about: Jones not getting me up at 6am, the heavy bit of the raised bed being built (sleepers are heavy!!) and a day out tomorrow to a favourite museum with a noodle bar and shopping thrown in. Yay for bank holidays!!

And

My favourite project for this year is ...... I dunno. That bloody green shawl? Nah. Although it might take me all year! Me, maybe? Since I'm trying to form new habits to see me through my next 40 years. Yeah, let's say that and hope I don't sound all Gwyneth Paltrow-y. *shudders*

So, anyone else having a go? 

ordinary life

Whoops, almost another week and no blog? There's not been much making happening here lately - just knitting of the green shawl. Which is going slowly and swearingly but well, I think. But we've had some little things going on.

We've been trying out a new riding school. Not as a replacement for where we are but as an as-well-as. It is right out in the country and so pretty! You can just see Chook on Torrie the pony in the background.

My view to the right. The farmer was out ploughing his fields just before I took this.

And, a rather lovely thing for me, they have a wee tearoom in the farmhouse! So I had a beautiful pot of mango and passion fruit Rooibos tea and a cherry scone (fresh from the oven!) with homemade apple jelly. Nom nom!

What else? Chook continues to play her baritone horn - I bought her sheet music of her favourite song. She has also announced she would really like a ukulele for her birthday in July. Awesome!

She has an interesting inter-departmental thing this afternoon at school. The technology, home economics, music and business & computing departments have been running a "coffee shop challenge" and her team is in the final! There has been design work (including posters and loyalty cards), an advertising jingle and menu planned. They are baking, feeding and making bevereges for 16. Their shop "Kawaii Koffee" has a Japanese theme - hence the cutesy badges she made for them to wear. I'll hear all about it later, no doubt.

I got new shoes. Irregular Choice, natch. Ignore the ugly background in this photo, I'm at work! (Editing to add, I'm not wearing them TO work, they were just delivered here! I am a lab tech and walk the almost-mile most days, I wear Clarks flats!)

And the cats are doing what our cats do. Which means Temple is chasing other cats from our garden and marking his territory (and I am trying like mad to not have him spraying in the house. So good so far!) and Jones is so chilled out he is horizontal. "Hey, laydeez!"

Normal, ordinary life. Just how I like it. 

oh, happy day!

So it's a busy day today! There is the the solar eclipse here in Europe. How cool was that, by the way! The huge cloud cover here in Scotland actually worked in our favour for a change. It thinned out just enough to make it visible without being blinding. I even got a rubbish but recognisable phone photo of it, look! Look reeeeealy closely...

 But today is also the Spring Equinox and a supermoon AND it is also the UN's International Day of Happiness. As part of the celebrations they have been asking the great, the good and us mere mortals what our happy songs are. I've been thinking about it all week and these are the songs that are guaranteed to get me in a better mood. No matter what.

First up, an oldie but a goodie. From my childhood, my heroes The Police.


And this chap is almost 25 years old. Yikes. Still guaranteed to have my hands in the air after the first few bars, though! And my first car was named Tim after the lead singer.


It's not a happy list without this one, right? I know it's cliched but if you listen to this and don't want to smile then your heart is made of stone. Farrell rules!


Another late teens entry. And another hands aloft song and, incidentally, my favourite song in the whole world. Back when the Stone Roses were the coolest band in the world.


And speaking of cool, hello Slash! My current favourite happy song. Play it loud! (just audio on this one - the official video is NSFW!)


And one final one that makes me smile. Every. Single. Time. The Verve are not normally a happy smiley band but this one? This was my wedding march.


So? Your happy place music? Go!

Happy Mother's Day!

Although, technically it is Mothering Sunday here in the UK and all wrapped up with Lent and your Mother church. Historically speaking at least - it's pretty much a regular Mother's Day these days.

Anyways, here's what I made my own Mum. The fabrics are hand screen-printed by Leanne at the Little Housemartin (her Instagram handle is @leannefanny) and are gorgeous! I just backed this square with a pretty green far quarter and bound it with birthday daisies (thank you Aunty Dotto!) Mum can do what she needs with it - a table square or an chair arm cover or whatever.

I also bought this panel with the bluebirds on it - Mum loves birds and I couldn't resist it. I made it into a wee hanging tea towel following the pattern on the Village Haberdashery blog.

Here it is in action. The top linen piece is velcroed so you can attach it round things. Genius!

A pretty wee pile. There's other things in her parcel (a nice notebook and pen and a voucher) but it's not Mother's Day without a handmade gift.

And me? When asked what I might like I mentioned a plant or a new vase. I got both! Jones is intrigued by the orchid - here's hoping he doesn't think it's edible! And I also got a brilliant hardback dragon notebook. But you cannae really see it here....

....that's better. Cool, eh? I also was very happy to have my breakfast in bed - they even cleaned the kitchen afterwards! *g*

I'm up at the stables writing this propped against the barn door. It's even dry! A bit cold, though. Visiting the important ladies this afternoon (Mum and Wee Granny) and maybe some knitting or more hand sewing of the infinitely long Critters binding. Have a lovely day whatever you are up to! 

the time suck

There's been a distinct lack of time to make anything round these parts the last few weeks. Mostly because we have all 3 disappeared down the particular rabbit hole that is Diablo 3.

When Spouse and I first lived together (17 years ago!) we lost weeks and months of evenings to the original Diablo on the PlayStation. He was thrilled to have a gaming girlfriend - I was thrilled he had a PlayStation. *g* When Diablo 2 came out before we were parents I played it myself - we were gutted when it wasn't a multiplayer game. Now, Chook loves a game called Star Stable. You own, compete with and complete tasks with various horses you buy (with game or real money) but can customise them and improve their stats with rider items and equine tack. So she's used to the questing and goodie aquisition format. The question was could she get behind the swords and sorcery theme. Her not being a sci-fi fan meant I didn't really have a handle on her fantasy leanings.

(this is my wizard - I was thrilled to finally find green dye for my armour!)

I can happily report that she absolutely loves it! That's her badass monk there in the middle. And Spouse's barbarian, Farticus. *rollseyes* 

So family gaming nights have become popular here. We're even playing once a week online with my boss, heh heh. But it has greatly reduced my sewing time! I'll get back to it eventually, I'm enjoying crusading far too much currently to care! There is a reason I have never bought a World of Warcraft membership.

Amiright?!